A/N: The world of Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I am just having fun
playing with her characters. This story is rated R for a reason. You have
been warned.
Chapter Six
The next morning the staff assembled in the staffroom for their pre- arranged meeting. Albus entered last and motioned for everyone to quieten down before he spoke.
"I trust everyone's first week back at school has been an enjoyable one? We've certainly had at least one major incident though and this will be something we should discuss during the course of this meeting." Albus sat down in a high backed armchair and looked around at his staff. "Thank you all for coming this morning, I do know you are all very busy people. Firstly, how has the first week of your rotation throughout the different subjects been? I trust they have been interesting for you?"
"Quite enjoyable, Albus. It's good to have a change." Minerva commented from her position to the left of the Headmaster.
"Yes, I've enjoyed teaching both of my new subjects." Hermione said.
"I'm quite happy to be away from first year potions and finally able to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts." Severus replied.
"Any problems to report with the timetables then?" Albus asked.
"Well, we had one clash with third year Slytherin and Ravenclaw in Charms with first year Hufflepuff and Gryffindor Charms but my wife and I managed to sort it out so no more problems in future." Ron said and Lavendar nodded in agreement beside him.
"Excellent. Glad it's going well so far then." Albus smiled warmly. "So, now to the students who are highlighted as the potential next Dark Force risk. How have you all come along with your quest for information?"
"I held my interviews with the Hufflepuff's over the course of the week and I do not detect any problems with any of them, Headmaster." Sara Sprout said. "I spoke to each individually for about an hour and they all seem like pleasant individuals. I trust no-one else has had a problem of any kind with my first years?" She asked looking around at the teachers. Everyone shook their heads.
"Then all I can say is that you still should be vigilant but I think we can safely disregard any of the Hufflepuff's." Albus said.
"The Ravenclaws are just as I expected, Headmaster. I've seen them all in the library numerous times over the course of the week and have also spoken to them individually. I still have some concerns about Helga Picardo though, I've caught her down the Restricted Section a number of times and she is fully aware that she is prohibited as a first year to be in there."
"Yes, Helga Picardo has shown a big interest in Defence Against the Dark Arts. She seems to be fairly well advanced in the subject for her age." Severus commented.
"Her father works in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry does he not?" Dumbledore asked Snape.
"Yes, and although he was never affiliated with Voldemort he didn't out rightly oppose him either." Severus mentioned.
"In that case we will have to keep our eyes on her. What about Gryffindor, Professor Granger?" McGonagall asked; this House was of great concern to her since she had been the previous Head of House for many years.
"The Gryffindor students are just very excitable, some highly strung but not of major concern. The Weasley quads have been my main worry as they are such a handful. I thought them to be telepathically linked in someway and while they all confirmed some small inclination to that gift I believe they are just the usual run of the mill Weasley pranksters." Hermione replied glancing over at Ron to see a mischievous grin cross his face.
"Well, I've certainly seen no cause for concern with them either. Has anyone else?" Minerva asked. Everyone shook their heads again.
"So, Severus. What can you tell us?" Albus asked.
"From the three students that were highlighted I have only been able to discount one of them- Christopher Granger." Severus said.
"Did you find out what his problem is then, Severus?" Hermione asked looking over to him.
"I believe so but we should discuss this with the Headmaster later." He replied to her. "Anyway, the other two- Azalia and Simverstatin are both the offspring of Death Eater families. The Azalia's were fairly close to Voldemort but Percival Azalia was killed and Amanda Azalia is in Azkaban. As they were both turned over by Voldemort himself- set up, I do not believe that Simon Azalia will want to be associated with these kinds of people again, and he lives with his grandmother who was opposed to Voldemort as well." He cleared his throat. "Dionne Simverstatin is another matter though. Her family were low-level Death Eaters but not because of a lack of talent but just because they chose to keep their heads down so that Voldemort would not notice them. They were big on the Dark side though, and this was not knowledge to Voldemort himself. They both are in the Muggle pharmaceutical industry and trade freely between the Magical and Muggle world."
"Hmm. You need not ask if anyone has had problems with any Slytherins, Severus for we all are aware of what occurred during the week." Albus intoned. "Okay, so just keep a watchful eye on them Severus and all others who have been highlighted still, everyone."
"So, what about the students who sent smoke bombs into the common rooms?" Penny asked.
"They have been dealt with and I'm sure you will note that Slytherin is currently in minus House points." Albus responded, Severus grimaced- there was no way they'd pull back from this anytime soon and the chance of the House cup was well and truly a pipe dream this school year.
"I trust your offices are back to normal now, Headmaster? Professor Granger?" Severus asked them both, having not had chance to see either of them in person himself.
"As good as new thanks to the House Elves." Hermione replied. "It just looked like a mini earthquake had hit since the bomb got stuck in the grate."
"Yes, a few flicks of the wand and everything was back in its usual messy order." Albus chuckled. "Well, I believe we can draw a close to this meeting. If you would like to speak to me Professors Snape and Granger then I am free now." They both nodded and the three of them left for Albus' office.
~~*~~
They entered Albus' office and he motioned for them to take seats in the comfortable chairs surrounding the fireplace. "Now, you want to speak to me regarding Christopher Granger?" He asked looking over his steepled hands.
"Yes, Albus. I had a chat with him and found out some interesting things about him." Albus motioned to the table and morning tea appeared, pouring cups he handed one to Hermione and one to Severus before sipping his own. "Thank you, Albus. Christopher Granger is a Muggle-born." Severus told them.
"But how is it possible that he was sorted into Slytherin?" Hermione asked gasping.
"The hat placed him there because it detected he was holding back a big secret and had much potential for anything he wanted to go into. It also considered him for Gryffindor though." Severus replied. "Also, he grew up near London in a place called Oxford." He looked over to Hermione.
"Yes, it's a large city. It's where I come from." She replied to his unspoken question.
"He said his parents allowed him to read magical text books he found lying around the house. Of course being Muggles they would not know the impact of what he was reading." Severus continued.
"What was he reading?" Albus asked.
"This one for example." Severus said handing the book to the Headmaster who looked at it. "He said his parents worked for an organisation known as the NHS?" Severus said but he did not think it wise to tell them about both of Christopher's parents not working much at all these days due to his mother caring for his father.
"The National Health Service, it's the second largest employer in the world, Severus. Second only to the Chinese Army. It's nothing unusual really." Hermione replied, smiling at his confusion. The Headmaster opened the book and gasped at the name he saw.
"This is the very book he had, Severus?" Snape nodded. "And he got this from home you say?" Snape nodded again. Albus passed the book to Hermione who looked at the title and then opened the book to find her own name written in her own handwriting. Her mouth dropped open as she looked from Severus to Albus and back again.
"How?" She asked completely taken aback.
"He said that you used to live in his house. He said he was told something just before he came to Hogwarts and he felt that you were winding him up about it." Severus told her matter-of-factly.
"But what? I've never seen him before?" Hermione asked shaking her head.
"Hermione, how long is it since you saw your parents last?" Dumbledore asked after a short pause.
"For any length of time it's been ten or eleven years. We parted ways when I told them of my wish to stay in the Wizarding World. I ended up staying at Hogwarts over all my holidays except the summer ones when I would go to The Burrow with Ron and then onto Grimauld Place from there. I kept in touch with my parents via owl and saw them just before I left for university but that was only for a day visit and my father was out."
"It's likely that Christopher Granger is your brother, Hermione." Severus said quietly.
"My brother, but. but." Hermione sighed heavily. "They surely would have told me?" She said shaking her head again.
"Is there a reason they would not?" Severus asked.
"Well, they knew about the war, they knew that it was because of the war I had to stay away from them. We argued and fought many a time as they did not want me to come back to Hogwarts. However, they could not change my mind and I was allowed to finish my magical education. I was just drifting away from them for so long. I guess neither of us tried to salvage our relationship." Hermione felt tears come to her eyes and Severus reached out to her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and cried as he embraced her back.
"I think we will leave you, Headmaster." Severus said as he stood up still holding Hermione.
"Of course, if there is anything I can do then just let me know." Albus said as Severus headed for the fire and took Hermione to his chambers via the internal floo network.
~~*~~
They entered Snape's sitting room and he carried Hermione over to the sofa sitting with her cuddled up to his side. She cried for about ten minutes before her breathing steadied and she drifted off to sleep completely worn out at the overbearing emotions she had just experienced all at once.
Severus picked her up carefully and carried her into his bedroom, placing her lightly on the bed and attempting to move away from her quietly. "Don't leave me, Severus." She pleaded whispering to him as she roused slightly at the sudden loss of contact.
"I won't, love. Just let me cover you over first." She let go of him and he moved to place a blanket over her. He then climbed onto the bed and she moved to cuddle back up to him. She fell into a restless sleep once more and Severus just lay there holding her tightly for comfort.
About an hour later Hermione began to wake up and stretched slightly as she realised where she was and who was stroking her hair. She opened her eyes and looked up at her fiancé, her head having been resting on his shoulder and her arm across his chest as she slept.
"How are you feeling now, Hermione?" Severus asked almost whispering in her ear as he kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"Better, Severus. Thank you for staying with me. I really appreciate your company." She told him quietly.
"No problem at all, love." He replied.
"What should I do, Severus?" She asked sighing heavily and looking up at him with doleful eyes.
"You should speak to him, Hermione. He needs to understand that you were not even aware of his existence." He offered. "Then I would suggest you go and visit your parents. I would have thought you would want to tell them of our engagement anyway?"
"I do want to tell them, Severus. I have seriously considered mending the rift that is between us for some time now." She sighed again and looked at her engagement ring admiring it whilst rolling it on her finger with her thumb. "But I'm so mad with them for not telling me they'd had another child, my brother for Merlin's sake! And he obviously resents me for some reason."
"Then you need to set him straight. Talk to him." Severus said.
They drifted into silence again, Hermione simply thinking and Severus allowing her all the time she needed for it.
She turned to him again rising up on her elbow to look down at him. "Would you come with me Severus? To my parents house I mean?"
"Of course I will, love. Anything you need." He told her while pushing an errant strand of hair back around her ear.
"And would you be there when I meet my brother. when I meet him officially that is?" She asked him again.
"Yes, just name the time and day." He replied.
"I love you, Severus Snape." She told him, looking deeply into his eyes for greater emphasis.
"I love you to, Hermione Granger." She reached down and kissed him tenderly on the lips.
"What's the time, Severus?" She asked breaking away, puzzled at how long they had been here.
"It's one o'clock. I'm afraid we've missed lunch but I'm not hungry, are you?" He asked raising his eyebrow in question.
"Only for you." She whispered as she reached for him and kissed him deeply. He responded by bringing his hands to her back and pulling her down towards his chest a little further. "Do you want to finish what we started the other night?" She asked him as she talked against his lips.
"Most certainly. We shouldn't be interrupted again at the most inopportune of moments." She giggled and he smiled widely remembering the position they had been in the other night when the common room alarm had sounded in Hermione's chambers.
She kissed him deeply again as he began unbuttoning her robes and moving them off her shoulders. Hermione began on his many buttons once again, becoming frustrated that she couldn't go fast enough. "Hermione." He stopped her on his fourth button. "You are a witch, just say the incantation, love." She blushed profusely having never thought about it before now and did as he suggested watching in amazement as all of his buttons sprang open. She made short, sharp work divesting him of all of his clothing and throwing each item to the floor as she went, and he continued to do the same with hers. In next to no time they were completely naked in bed together kissing each other with pure unadulterated passion, hands wandering all over each others body.
Severus rolled over forcing Hermione underneath him. He took her wrists in both of his hands and pinned her arms on either side of her head, while he continued to duel his tongue with hers. Spreading her thighs with one of his knees her hovered over her entrance, his erection painfully throbbing and wanting release. He gazed down into her eyes awaiting permission for entrance.
"Now, Severus." She pleaded as he slowly penetrated her pushing his way in up to the hilt and resting for a moment.
"Slow or fast?" He asked breathlessly, already feeling complete as they were joined together in the most intimate way possible.
"Slow." She whispered as he began to kiss her slowly on the lips, along her jaw, down her neck and towards her left nipple. Releasing her hands he used is hands to knead her breasts as he slowly moved in and out of her making every stroke count and giving her enormous pleasure as he rubbed against her clit. Hermione ran her hands through his hair and down his spine coming to rest on his buttocks and applying pressure every time he moved back inside her so she could feel a deeper penetration.
He couldn't hold off much longer as he could feel the tension building inside both of them. He began to pick up speed and thrust into her harder as she rotated her hips to meet him half way. Soon he was thrusting in and out with wild abandon and both were rapidly heading towards climax when she suddenly flipped him on to his back and proceeded to straddle him rocking her hips with equal force as she rode him into utter bliss and they both exploded at the pinnacle of their climaxes. She collapsed down onto his chest as they both panted hard. Still inside her he rolled her onto her side and they fell asleep facing each other and holding one another in a tight embrace, arms and legs not showing where one person began and the other left off.
~~*~~
Hermione had decided to speak with Christopher at the earliest opportunity where she knew they would not be interrupted and when Severus could be there also. This opportunity did not come until the following Saturday though and she had had to go on throughout the whole week pretending as though she was none the wiser as to the fact she had a new family member.
She had set up a meeting in her own office at nine o'clock in the morning. Severus would be there and it would give Christopher and Hermione the whole day to ask each other questions and get to know each other a little better if they so desired. It probably would not take that long though, this being their first official meeting and all.
Severus had spent the night with Hermione and so they both entered her office through the internal floo at the same time. She flicked her wand and the candles sprung into illumination as Severus moved three chairs towards the fire and transfigured them into more comfortable armchairs. Hermione stoked the fire and summoned a House Elf to bring some tea and biscuits, which she automatically did returning with a few moments later with a heavily laden tray.
"Nervous?" Severus asked as Hermione started to pace in front of the fire, something which she never did, it being one of Severus' idiosyncrasies.
"Very much so, Severus." She responded with a quiver in her voice as she rubbed her hands together.
"You'll be fine." He said as there was a timid knock on the office door. Hermione stopped abruptly, took a deep breath and moved to open the door.
Christopher Granger was outside the door looking very nervous himself as the door opened and he was asked to come inside. Hermione watched as he slowly entered and stood stock still in the middle of the floor at the sight of his Head of House.
"It's okay, Mr. Granger. You are not in trouble this time. I suggest you take a seat." Severus said motioning to one of the chairs as he and Hermione both sat down as well. Christopher took the opportunity to gaze around the office and noticed a number of photographs displayed on her mantle piece, one being a Muggle photo of Hermione with his parents.
"Would you like some tea?" Hermione asked drawing his attention back to the two other people in the room with him.
"Yes, please. Thank you, Professor." Hermione smiled as Severus began to pour the tea for each of them and handed them both a cup.
"You can call me Hermione when we are in private if you like?" She told him and he stared in horror, gulping as he looked towards his Head of House.
"You may call me Professor Snape, Mr. Granger." Severus responded coolly at his look of abject mortification.
"Yes, Sir." He responded grateful he would not need to be on a first name basis with this totally scary man.
"So, Christopher." Hermione began nervously.
"It's Chris. Only my mother calls me Christopher." He corrected her absent mindedly.
"Alright, Chris. Would you like to tell me who exactly your parents are?" Hermione asked
"Peter and Amanda Granger." He answered. "That's them up there." He pointed to one of the photographs, which Hermione automatically stood up and took down from the mantelpiece. She stared at it for a moment before sitting down and returning to her questioning.
"And where do you live?"
"23, Grassmere Meadows, Uxbridge, Oxford." He answered quickly, she wanted more proof?
"And when we you born?"
"The 28th of September 1994. I will be 11 years old this year." He responded calmly.
"And where did you find my book?" She asked, she had thought she'd left it on the Hogwarts Express and had gone out and bought another copy of Moste Potente Potions as soon as she could.
"I found it in the loft when I was putting some packing crates up there. I found a book called 'One Thousand and One Magical Herbs' and another one called 'Lockhart's Guide to Household Pests' but I didn't bring them." He replied conversationally and Hermione cringed at the mention of the Lockhart book.
"Well, here you go. You may have this copy back so long as you promise me you will only try out the potions under supervision. There are many highly dangerous potions described in this book." Hermione told him sternly. "One of the reasons why it is in the Restricted Section of the library."
"Thank you, Hermione. I absolutely adore this book. So far Potions is my favourite subject despite the hiccup we had last week." He took the book from Hermione and held it close to his chest. "May I ask you some questions now, Hermione?"
"Of course, fire away. I'll answer anything I can." She responded openly.
"Did you truly not know about me?" He asked incredulously.
"No, I honestly never knew you were my brother, even that I had a brother until last Sunday, and since then I've been trying to arrange the right time to meet you officially." She said shaking her head.
"How old are you?" He asked after a pause.
"I'm 24 but will turn 25 on the 19th of September. In this photograph I was 14 years old. It was taken the last summer I spent with my parents." Hermione said gesturing to the photograph and handing it over to Chris for closer inspection.
"You looked happy." He commented. He had never seen any pictures of Hermione before for none were on display in the house. "Why would mum and dad keep us a secret from each other until I had received my Hogwarts letter? I mean I didn't even know I was a wizard until then and the only reference I'd had to a magical world potentially existing was from some of the books you left behind, which I was told had been left by the previous house owners."
Hermione grimaced at the thought of her parents lying in order to keep her a secret from him. She proceeded to tell Chris of the events leading up to her estrangement from her parents. "I suppose they just wanted to protect you and so never mentioned me. I will find out tomorrow though as I am going to pay them a visit."
"Oh, could I come with you?" Chris asked, he'd like to receive some straight answers himself and he really needed to see that they were both alright.
"I'm afraid not. I doubt our meeting will be altogether pleasant. We have a few bridges to mend. However, you may come the next time I visit, for I will be in touch with them more frequently hopefully." Hermione told him and he smiled slightly at the offer.
"Why is Professor Snape here?" Severus had been sitting very quietly drinking his tea as Hermione and her brother got better acquainted. He looked up and nodded once to Hermione, giving her permission to tell him.
"Severus is here for some moral support. It sounds silly now since we are getting along so well but he's here to act as something like a mediator if needed, which it clearly is not. Anyway, we got engaged just before the school year. We hope to marry soon. So, he will be your brother-in-law." Hermione smiled as she saw Severus roll his eyes at the sudden realisation.
"Congratulations then, Hermione, Professor." Chris said looking to both of them in turn.
"Tell me, are you happy being in Slytherin? It can't be easy being a Muggle- born." Hermione asked him.
"It's okay right now because people don't know I'm Muggle-born, I did kind of get off to a bad start though and it appears first impressions matter to the Slytherins. I expect their attitudes towards me will change soon though- undoubtedly for the worse." He said with a flicker of worry in his eyes.
"You should have no reason to fear, Mr. Granger. I am trying to change my House for the better. It's a big change to have a non pure-blood or mixed- blood in the House at all. If you are happy to stay in Slytherin then I would welcome you but if you truly want to change I'm sure we could arrange a transfer now that the reasons you were placed in my House in the first place are no longer existent." Severus spoke up. "I do agree that your life will probably be a misery for some time though as my changes slowly take effect, I cannot change their attitudes over night after all."
"I really don't know, Sir. I guess a change this early on in the first year would go marginally unnoticed but." He trailed off, looking to his big sister for advice.
"I was a Gryffindor. Slytherin had such a bad name in my House when I was here as a student. A transfer from one House to another would certainly be as beneficial as if you stayed where you are. It would hopefully increase inter-house relations. The choice is entirely yours though, Chris." Hermione told him, not wanting to influence his decision when he may come to regret it and resent her later on.
"I think I may like to change to Gryffindor if I can? I don't feel at home in Slytherin at all. I'm sorry Professor Snape." Chris said glancing to his current Head of House.
"That's quite alright, Mr. Granger. Do not worry; you've lost no respect at all from me. It may be hard to adjust but I'm sure the Gryffindors will help you out, especially once they find out you are their Head of House's little brother." Severus responded with a small smile.
"Could the transfer happen today?" Chris asked rather hopeful. The quicker he was out of Slytherin the better as far as he was concerned.
"Yes, that should not be a problem." Severus informed him.
"Then I think I should pack my things if I may be excused?" He started to rise from his seat excitedly.
"I guess you should, Chris. You are excused." Hermione told him. Chris suddenly reached out his hand to shake Hermione's.
"I would like to say sorry for everything I've done to you, especially sending you that bomb." He smiled sheepishly. "I hope we can get to know one another better. I've never had a big sister before."
Hermione grinned at him. "I hope so too as I've never had a little brother before." She pulled him towards her and hugged him briefly, it was a little awkward but she was sure it would come eventually as they became closer over time. "I'll see that the dormitory is sorted out for your arrival and that the Headmaster is aware of the change."
"Thank you once again for the book." He moved away from her with a huge grin on his face and left the office. Hermione turned to Severus with a raised eyebrow.
"That went quite well I thought, Severus?" She said pleasantly surprised.
"Indeed. Now hopefully he will settle at Hogwarts. I could see he was not happy in Slytherin." Severus stood. "Come on, we have things to organise. You sort his dorm out and I'll make sure he's okay packing, and I'll visit the Headmaster. We can meet for lunch in the Great Hall if you like and then this afternoon, perhaps make some future plans of our own?" He said, raising his eyebrows in question.
"Yes, we should at least set a date for our wedding; it would be something more concrete to tell my parents." Hermione said as they both left the office. "Thank you for your support today, Severus."
"No problem, love." He said kissing her on the cheek before they both went their separate ways.
Chapter Six
The next morning the staff assembled in the staffroom for their pre- arranged meeting. Albus entered last and motioned for everyone to quieten down before he spoke.
"I trust everyone's first week back at school has been an enjoyable one? We've certainly had at least one major incident though and this will be something we should discuss during the course of this meeting." Albus sat down in a high backed armchair and looked around at his staff. "Thank you all for coming this morning, I do know you are all very busy people. Firstly, how has the first week of your rotation throughout the different subjects been? I trust they have been interesting for you?"
"Quite enjoyable, Albus. It's good to have a change." Minerva commented from her position to the left of the Headmaster.
"Yes, I've enjoyed teaching both of my new subjects." Hermione said.
"I'm quite happy to be away from first year potions and finally able to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts." Severus replied.
"Any problems to report with the timetables then?" Albus asked.
"Well, we had one clash with third year Slytherin and Ravenclaw in Charms with first year Hufflepuff and Gryffindor Charms but my wife and I managed to sort it out so no more problems in future." Ron said and Lavendar nodded in agreement beside him.
"Excellent. Glad it's going well so far then." Albus smiled warmly. "So, now to the students who are highlighted as the potential next Dark Force risk. How have you all come along with your quest for information?"
"I held my interviews with the Hufflepuff's over the course of the week and I do not detect any problems with any of them, Headmaster." Sara Sprout said. "I spoke to each individually for about an hour and they all seem like pleasant individuals. I trust no-one else has had a problem of any kind with my first years?" She asked looking around at the teachers. Everyone shook their heads.
"Then all I can say is that you still should be vigilant but I think we can safely disregard any of the Hufflepuff's." Albus said.
"The Ravenclaws are just as I expected, Headmaster. I've seen them all in the library numerous times over the course of the week and have also spoken to them individually. I still have some concerns about Helga Picardo though, I've caught her down the Restricted Section a number of times and she is fully aware that she is prohibited as a first year to be in there."
"Yes, Helga Picardo has shown a big interest in Defence Against the Dark Arts. She seems to be fairly well advanced in the subject for her age." Severus commented.
"Her father works in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry does he not?" Dumbledore asked Snape.
"Yes, and although he was never affiliated with Voldemort he didn't out rightly oppose him either." Severus mentioned.
"In that case we will have to keep our eyes on her. What about Gryffindor, Professor Granger?" McGonagall asked; this House was of great concern to her since she had been the previous Head of House for many years.
"The Gryffindor students are just very excitable, some highly strung but not of major concern. The Weasley quads have been my main worry as they are such a handful. I thought them to be telepathically linked in someway and while they all confirmed some small inclination to that gift I believe they are just the usual run of the mill Weasley pranksters." Hermione replied glancing over at Ron to see a mischievous grin cross his face.
"Well, I've certainly seen no cause for concern with them either. Has anyone else?" Minerva asked. Everyone shook their heads again.
"So, Severus. What can you tell us?" Albus asked.
"From the three students that were highlighted I have only been able to discount one of them- Christopher Granger." Severus said.
"Did you find out what his problem is then, Severus?" Hermione asked looking over to him.
"I believe so but we should discuss this with the Headmaster later." He replied to her. "Anyway, the other two- Azalia and Simverstatin are both the offspring of Death Eater families. The Azalia's were fairly close to Voldemort but Percival Azalia was killed and Amanda Azalia is in Azkaban. As they were both turned over by Voldemort himself- set up, I do not believe that Simon Azalia will want to be associated with these kinds of people again, and he lives with his grandmother who was opposed to Voldemort as well." He cleared his throat. "Dionne Simverstatin is another matter though. Her family were low-level Death Eaters but not because of a lack of talent but just because they chose to keep their heads down so that Voldemort would not notice them. They were big on the Dark side though, and this was not knowledge to Voldemort himself. They both are in the Muggle pharmaceutical industry and trade freely between the Magical and Muggle world."
"Hmm. You need not ask if anyone has had problems with any Slytherins, Severus for we all are aware of what occurred during the week." Albus intoned. "Okay, so just keep a watchful eye on them Severus and all others who have been highlighted still, everyone."
"So, what about the students who sent smoke bombs into the common rooms?" Penny asked.
"They have been dealt with and I'm sure you will note that Slytherin is currently in minus House points." Albus responded, Severus grimaced- there was no way they'd pull back from this anytime soon and the chance of the House cup was well and truly a pipe dream this school year.
"I trust your offices are back to normal now, Headmaster? Professor Granger?" Severus asked them both, having not had chance to see either of them in person himself.
"As good as new thanks to the House Elves." Hermione replied. "It just looked like a mini earthquake had hit since the bomb got stuck in the grate."
"Yes, a few flicks of the wand and everything was back in its usual messy order." Albus chuckled. "Well, I believe we can draw a close to this meeting. If you would like to speak to me Professors Snape and Granger then I am free now." They both nodded and the three of them left for Albus' office.
~~*~~
They entered Albus' office and he motioned for them to take seats in the comfortable chairs surrounding the fireplace. "Now, you want to speak to me regarding Christopher Granger?" He asked looking over his steepled hands.
"Yes, Albus. I had a chat with him and found out some interesting things about him." Albus motioned to the table and morning tea appeared, pouring cups he handed one to Hermione and one to Severus before sipping his own. "Thank you, Albus. Christopher Granger is a Muggle-born." Severus told them.
"But how is it possible that he was sorted into Slytherin?" Hermione asked gasping.
"The hat placed him there because it detected he was holding back a big secret and had much potential for anything he wanted to go into. It also considered him for Gryffindor though." Severus replied. "Also, he grew up near London in a place called Oxford." He looked over to Hermione.
"Yes, it's a large city. It's where I come from." She replied to his unspoken question.
"He said his parents allowed him to read magical text books he found lying around the house. Of course being Muggles they would not know the impact of what he was reading." Severus continued.
"What was he reading?" Albus asked.
"This one for example." Severus said handing the book to the Headmaster who looked at it. "He said his parents worked for an organisation known as the NHS?" Severus said but he did not think it wise to tell them about both of Christopher's parents not working much at all these days due to his mother caring for his father.
"The National Health Service, it's the second largest employer in the world, Severus. Second only to the Chinese Army. It's nothing unusual really." Hermione replied, smiling at his confusion. The Headmaster opened the book and gasped at the name he saw.
"This is the very book he had, Severus?" Snape nodded. "And he got this from home you say?" Snape nodded again. Albus passed the book to Hermione who looked at the title and then opened the book to find her own name written in her own handwriting. Her mouth dropped open as she looked from Severus to Albus and back again.
"How?" She asked completely taken aback.
"He said that you used to live in his house. He said he was told something just before he came to Hogwarts and he felt that you were winding him up about it." Severus told her matter-of-factly.
"But what? I've never seen him before?" Hermione asked shaking her head.
"Hermione, how long is it since you saw your parents last?" Dumbledore asked after a short pause.
"For any length of time it's been ten or eleven years. We parted ways when I told them of my wish to stay in the Wizarding World. I ended up staying at Hogwarts over all my holidays except the summer ones when I would go to The Burrow with Ron and then onto Grimauld Place from there. I kept in touch with my parents via owl and saw them just before I left for university but that was only for a day visit and my father was out."
"It's likely that Christopher Granger is your brother, Hermione." Severus said quietly.
"My brother, but. but." Hermione sighed heavily. "They surely would have told me?" She said shaking her head again.
"Is there a reason they would not?" Severus asked.
"Well, they knew about the war, they knew that it was because of the war I had to stay away from them. We argued and fought many a time as they did not want me to come back to Hogwarts. However, they could not change my mind and I was allowed to finish my magical education. I was just drifting away from them for so long. I guess neither of us tried to salvage our relationship." Hermione felt tears come to her eyes and Severus reached out to her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and cried as he embraced her back.
"I think we will leave you, Headmaster." Severus said as he stood up still holding Hermione.
"Of course, if there is anything I can do then just let me know." Albus said as Severus headed for the fire and took Hermione to his chambers via the internal floo network.
~~*~~
They entered Snape's sitting room and he carried Hermione over to the sofa sitting with her cuddled up to his side. She cried for about ten minutes before her breathing steadied and she drifted off to sleep completely worn out at the overbearing emotions she had just experienced all at once.
Severus picked her up carefully and carried her into his bedroom, placing her lightly on the bed and attempting to move away from her quietly. "Don't leave me, Severus." She pleaded whispering to him as she roused slightly at the sudden loss of contact.
"I won't, love. Just let me cover you over first." She let go of him and he moved to place a blanket over her. He then climbed onto the bed and she moved to cuddle back up to him. She fell into a restless sleep once more and Severus just lay there holding her tightly for comfort.
About an hour later Hermione began to wake up and stretched slightly as she realised where she was and who was stroking her hair. She opened her eyes and looked up at her fiancé, her head having been resting on his shoulder and her arm across his chest as she slept.
"How are you feeling now, Hermione?" Severus asked almost whispering in her ear as he kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"Better, Severus. Thank you for staying with me. I really appreciate your company." She told him quietly.
"No problem at all, love." He replied.
"What should I do, Severus?" She asked sighing heavily and looking up at him with doleful eyes.
"You should speak to him, Hermione. He needs to understand that you were not even aware of his existence." He offered. "Then I would suggest you go and visit your parents. I would have thought you would want to tell them of our engagement anyway?"
"I do want to tell them, Severus. I have seriously considered mending the rift that is between us for some time now." She sighed again and looked at her engagement ring admiring it whilst rolling it on her finger with her thumb. "But I'm so mad with them for not telling me they'd had another child, my brother for Merlin's sake! And he obviously resents me for some reason."
"Then you need to set him straight. Talk to him." Severus said.
They drifted into silence again, Hermione simply thinking and Severus allowing her all the time she needed for it.
She turned to him again rising up on her elbow to look down at him. "Would you come with me Severus? To my parents house I mean?"
"Of course I will, love. Anything you need." He told her while pushing an errant strand of hair back around her ear.
"And would you be there when I meet my brother. when I meet him officially that is?" She asked him again.
"Yes, just name the time and day." He replied.
"I love you, Severus Snape." She told him, looking deeply into his eyes for greater emphasis.
"I love you to, Hermione Granger." She reached down and kissed him tenderly on the lips.
"What's the time, Severus?" She asked breaking away, puzzled at how long they had been here.
"It's one o'clock. I'm afraid we've missed lunch but I'm not hungry, are you?" He asked raising his eyebrow in question.
"Only for you." She whispered as she reached for him and kissed him deeply. He responded by bringing his hands to her back and pulling her down towards his chest a little further. "Do you want to finish what we started the other night?" She asked him as she talked against his lips.
"Most certainly. We shouldn't be interrupted again at the most inopportune of moments." She giggled and he smiled widely remembering the position they had been in the other night when the common room alarm had sounded in Hermione's chambers.
She kissed him deeply again as he began unbuttoning her robes and moving them off her shoulders. Hermione began on his many buttons once again, becoming frustrated that she couldn't go fast enough. "Hermione." He stopped her on his fourth button. "You are a witch, just say the incantation, love." She blushed profusely having never thought about it before now and did as he suggested watching in amazement as all of his buttons sprang open. She made short, sharp work divesting him of all of his clothing and throwing each item to the floor as she went, and he continued to do the same with hers. In next to no time they were completely naked in bed together kissing each other with pure unadulterated passion, hands wandering all over each others body.
Severus rolled over forcing Hermione underneath him. He took her wrists in both of his hands and pinned her arms on either side of her head, while he continued to duel his tongue with hers. Spreading her thighs with one of his knees her hovered over her entrance, his erection painfully throbbing and wanting release. He gazed down into her eyes awaiting permission for entrance.
"Now, Severus." She pleaded as he slowly penetrated her pushing his way in up to the hilt and resting for a moment.
"Slow or fast?" He asked breathlessly, already feeling complete as they were joined together in the most intimate way possible.
"Slow." She whispered as he began to kiss her slowly on the lips, along her jaw, down her neck and towards her left nipple. Releasing her hands he used is hands to knead her breasts as he slowly moved in and out of her making every stroke count and giving her enormous pleasure as he rubbed against her clit. Hermione ran her hands through his hair and down his spine coming to rest on his buttocks and applying pressure every time he moved back inside her so she could feel a deeper penetration.
He couldn't hold off much longer as he could feel the tension building inside both of them. He began to pick up speed and thrust into her harder as she rotated her hips to meet him half way. Soon he was thrusting in and out with wild abandon and both were rapidly heading towards climax when she suddenly flipped him on to his back and proceeded to straddle him rocking her hips with equal force as she rode him into utter bliss and they both exploded at the pinnacle of their climaxes. She collapsed down onto his chest as they both panted hard. Still inside her he rolled her onto her side and they fell asleep facing each other and holding one another in a tight embrace, arms and legs not showing where one person began and the other left off.
~~*~~
Hermione had decided to speak with Christopher at the earliest opportunity where she knew they would not be interrupted and when Severus could be there also. This opportunity did not come until the following Saturday though and she had had to go on throughout the whole week pretending as though she was none the wiser as to the fact she had a new family member.
She had set up a meeting in her own office at nine o'clock in the morning. Severus would be there and it would give Christopher and Hermione the whole day to ask each other questions and get to know each other a little better if they so desired. It probably would not take that long though, this being their first official meeting and all.
Severus had spent the night with Hermione and so they both entered her office through the internal floo at the same time. She flicked her wand and the candles sprung into illumination as Severus moved three chairs towards the fire and transfigured them into more comfortable armchairs. Hermione stoked the fire and summoned a House Elf to bring some tea and biscuits, which she automatically did returning with a few moments later with a heavily laden tray.
"Nervous?" Severus asked as Hermione started to pace in front of the fire, something which she never did, it being one of Severus' idiosyncrasies.
"Very much so, Severus." She responded with a quiver in her voice as she rubbed her hands together.
"You'll be fine." He said as there was a timid knock on the office door. Hermione stopped abruptly, took a deep breath and moved to open the door.
Christopher Granger was outside the door looking very nervous himself as the door opened and he was asked to come inside. Hermione watched as he slowly entered and stood stock still in the middle of the floor at the sight of his Head of House.
"It's okay, Mr. Granger. You are not in trouble this time. I suggest you take a seat." Severus said motioning to one of the chairs as he and Hermione both sat down as well. Christopher took the opportunity to gaze around the office and noticed a number of photographs displayed on her mantle piece, one being a Muggle photo of Hermione with his parents.
"Would you like some tea?" Hermione asked drawing his attention back to the two other people in the room with him.
"Yes, please. Thank you, Professor." Hermione smiled as Severus began to pour the tea for each of them and handed them both a cup.
"You can call me Hermione when we are in private if you like?" She told him and he stared in horror, gulping as he looked towards his Head of House.
"You may call me Professor Snape, Mr. Granger." Severus responded coolly at his look of abject mortification.
"Yes, Sir." He responded grateful he would not need to be on a first name basis with this totally scary man.
"So, Christopher." Hermione began nervously.
"It's Chris. Only my mother calls me Christopher." He corrected her absent mindedly.
"Alright, Chris. Would you like to tell me who exactly your parents are?" Hermione asked
"Peter and Amanda Granger." He answered. "That's them up there." He pointed to one of the photographs, which Hermione automatically stood up and took down from the mantelpiece. She stared at it for a moment before sitting down and returning to her questioning.
"And where do you live?"
"23, Grassmere Meadows, Uxbridge, Oxford." He answered quickly, she wanted more proof?
"And when we you born?"
"The 28th of September 1994. I will be 11 years old this year." He responded calmly.
"And where did you find my book?" She asked, she had thought she'd left it on the Hogwarts Express and had gone out and bought another copy of Moste Potente Potions as soon as she could.
"I found it in the loft when I was putting some packing crates up there. I found a book called 'One Thousand and One Magical Herbs' and another one called 'Lockhart's Guide to Household Pests' but I didn't bring them." He replied conversationally and Hermione cringed at the mention of the Lockhart book.
"Well, here you go. You may have this copy back so long as you promise me you will only try out the potions under supervision. There are many highly dangerous potions described in this book." Hermione told him sternly. "One of the reasons why it is in the Restricted Section of the library."
"Thank you, Hermione. I absolutely adore this book. So far Potions is my favourite subject despite the hiccup we had last week." He took the book from Hermione and held it close to his chest. "May I ask you some questions now, Hermione?"
"Of course, fire away. I'll answer anything I can." She responded openly.
"Did you truly not know about me?" He asked incredulously.
"No, I honestly never knew you were my brother, even that I had a brother until last Sunday, and since then I've been trying to arrange the right time to meet you officially." She said shaking her head.
"How old are you?" He asked after a pause.
"I'm 24 but will turn 25 on the 19th of September. In this photograph I was 14 years old. It was taken the last summer I spent with my parents." Hermione said gesturing to the photograph and handing it over to Chris for closer inspection.
"You looked happy." He commented. He had never seen any pictures of Hermione before for none were on display in the house. "Why would mum and dad keep us a secret from each other until I had received my Hogwarts letter? I mean I didn't even know I was a wizard until then and the only reference I'd had to a magical world potentially existing was from some of the books you left behind, which I was told had been left by the previous house owners."
Hermione grimaced at the thought of her parents lying in order to keep her a secret from him. She proceeded to tell Chris of the events leading up to her estrangement from her parents. "I suppose they just wanted to protect you and so never mentioned me. I will find out tomorrow though as I am going to pay them a visit."
"Oh, could I come with you?" Chris asked, he'd like to receive some straight answers himself and he really needed to see that they were both alright.
"I'm afraid not. I doubt our meeting will be altogether pleasant. We have a few bridges to mend. However, you may come the next time I visit, for I will be in touch with them more frequently hopefully." Hermione told him and he smiled slightly at the offer.
"Why is Professor Snape here?" Severus had been sitting very quietly drinking his tea as Hermione and her brother got better acquainted. He looked up and nodded once to Hermione, giving her permission to tell him.
"Severus is here for some moral support. It sounds silly now since we are getting along so well but he's here to act as something like a mediator if needed, which it clearly is not. Anyway, we got engaged just before the school year. We hope to marry soon. So, he will be your brother-in-law." Hermione smiled as she saw Severus roll his eyes at the sudden realisation.
"Congratulations then, Hermione, Professor." Chris said looking to both of them in turn.
"Tell me, are you happy being in Slytherin? It can't be easy being a Muggle- born." Hermione asked him.
"It's okay right now because people don't know I'm Muggle-born, I did kind of get off to a bad start though and it appears first impressions matter to the Slytherins. I expect their attitudes towards me will change soon though- undoubtedly for the worse." He said with a flicker of worry in his eyes.
"You should have no reason to fear, Mr. Granger. I am trying to change my House for the better. It's a big change to have a non pure-blood or mixed- blood in the House at all. If you are happy to stay in Slytherin then I would welcome you but if you truly want to change I'm sure we could arrange a transfer now that the reasons you were placed in my House in the first place are no longer existent." Severus spoke up. "I do agree that your life will probably be a misery for some time though as my changes slowly take effect, I cannot change their attitudes over night after all."
"I really don't know, Sir. I guess a change this early on in the first year would go marginally unnoticed but." He trailed off, looking to his big sister for advice.
"I was a Gryffindor. Slytherin had such a bad name in my House when I was here as a student. A transfer from one House to another would certainly be as beneficial as if you stayed where you are. It would hopefully increase inter-house relations. The choice is entirely yours though, Chris." Hermione told him, not wanting to influence his decision when he may come to regret it and resent her later on.
"I think I may like to change to Gryffindor if I can? I don't feel at home in Slytherin at all. I'm sorry Professor Snape." Chris said glancing to his current Head of House.
"That's quite alright, Mr. Granger. Do not worry; you've lost no respect at all from me. It may be hard to adjust but I'm sure the Gryffindors will help you out, especially once they find out you are their Head of House's little brother." Severus responded with a small smile.
"Could the transfer happen today?" Chris asked rather hopeful. The quicker he was out of Slytherin the better as far as he was concerned.
"Yes, that should not be a problem." Severus informed him.
"Then I think I should pack my things if I may be excused?" He started to rise from his seat excitedly.
"I guess you should, Chris. You are excused." Hermione told him. Chris suddenly reached out his hand to shake Hermione's.
"I would like to say sorry for everything I've done to you, especially sending you that bomb." He smiled sheepishly. "I hope we can get to know one another better. I've never had a big sister before."
Hermione grinned at him. "I hope so too as I've never had a little brother before." She pulled him towards her and hugged him briefly, it was a little awkward but she was sure it would come eventually as they became closer over time. "I'll see that the dormitory is sorted out for your arrival and that the Headmaster is aware of the change."
"Thank you once again for the book." He moved away from her with a huge grin on his face and left the office. Hermione turned to Severus with a raised eyebrow.
"That went quite well I thought, Severus?" She said pleasantly surprised.
"Indeed. Now hopefully he will settle at Hogwarts. I could see he was not happy in Slytherin." Severus stood. "Come on, we have things to organise. You sort his dorm out and I'll make sure he's okay packing, and I'll visit the Headmaster. We can meet for lunch in the Great Hall if you like and then this afternoon, perhaps make some future plans of our own?" He said, raising his eyebrows in question.
"Yes, we should at least set a date for our wedding; it would be something more concrete to tell my parents." Hermione said as they both left the office. "Thank you for your support today, Severus."
"No problem, love." He said kissing her on the cheek before they both went their separate ways.